Recognising Basic Health Literacy Capabilities: An Explorative Study on the Relevance of Health-Related Information in the Support of People with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

Timo Dins () and Caren Keeley ()
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Timo Dins: Chair for Pedagogics and Rehabilitation for Persons with Intellectual and Profound Disabilities, Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
Caren Keeley: Chair for Pedagogics and Rehabilitation for Persons with Intellectual and Profound Disabilities, Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-26

Abstract: Background : People with profound intellectual disabilities represent a vulnerable and heterogeneous population whose health-related needs and questions often remain unheard. One reason for this is that they are usually unable to participate in verbal communication. However, there is also a lack of suitable approaches to communicate health-related information to them according to their capabilities. The research presented in this paper addresses this gap. Methods: Following grounded theory methodology, we used a multimethod approach. Based on a theoretical analysis, a Delphi study ( n = 14) was conducted as a starting point to map the research field. In a second step, these findings were incorporated into an online survey targeting disability care professionals ( n = 111). Three field studies supplemented the data, encompassing a variety of ethnographic methods. Results : People with PIMD have basic health-related capabilities that can improve their health literacy. Nevertheless, their support environments have to take over many health literacy-related requirements by proxy or substitution. One of the most important tasks is to engage health information in an individualised way. Conclusions : The findings underline the importance of focusing on more basic capabilities and intersubjective approaches in health literacy research and practice, especially regarding new perspectives on the inclusion of previously marginalised populations (such as people with PIMD).

Keywords: health literacy; people with intellectual disability; people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities; participatory research; qualitative research; responsiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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